Man accused by Russia of being a spy clinks glasses with Bryan

Friday, Jan. 16, 1998 | 9:37 a.m.

Richard Bliss on Thursday put his money on the bar at the Great Basin Brewing Co., and ordered two glasses of frothy brew - one for him, the other for Sen. Richard Bryan, who was instrumental in securing Bliss' release from Russia.

"When I was in Russia, I wasn't privy to the media," Bliss said. "But everybody said Sen. Bryan was the one spearheading the campaign to get me out. Buying him a beer was the least I could do."

Bryan, D-NV., said it was an offer he couldn't refuse.

"Welcome back. Nice to have you with us," Bryan said as the two clinked glasses in a toast.

Bliss, 29, was a field technician working for San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc. to install a $5.6 million cellular telephone system under contract with the Russian government.

He was arrested Nov. 25 when Russian officials accused him of using illegal equipment and surveying sensitive sites.

Bliss was released from jail after 12 days, but was told he would have to remain in Russia.

Russia allowed him to return to the United States for Christmas, but said he would have to return by Jan. 10. Russia later said he did not have to return by that deadline, though it has not dropped the charges.

Bliss said he will return to Russia if necessary to clear his name.

"At this point if I am asked to go back, I will do that," Bliss said. "The charges have not been dropped. It's in the back of my mind all the time."

Bryan said he has been told by the Russian foreign ministry that they do not believe Bliss is guilty of espionage.

"I have had a couple of conversations with the Russian ambassador who indicated early on that it was a mistake," Bryan said."I think what we had was a bureaucratic Byzantine conflict as to who was making the decisions."

Bryan said he will continue to work to secure the formal dropping of the charges.

Bliss is in northern Nevada to visit his mother, Judy Bradley, of Carson City.